Bangladesh’s ‘war plan’ near India’s chicken neck

Bangladesh, the country that India liberated from Pakistan, is now conspiring with Pakistan against India. But how is Bangladesh trying to target India’s Chicken Neck? How was Bangladesh supported by China and Pakistan in this conspiracy and how were we prepared to deal with this threat?

Bangladesh has its sights set on India’s Chicken Neck region, which connects the entire country to the Northeast. This is because Bangladesh has begun reactivating its former air base near Chicken Neck after 54 years. Bangladesh has reportedly started rebuilding the Lalmonirhat air base. Lalmonirhat is located just 12-15 kilometers from the Indian border and 135 kilometers from Siliguri, which connects Northeast India to the mainland. There is no doubt that this could pose a serious threat to India.

Bangladesh Army Commander recently visited Lalmonirhat Air Base adjacent to India. It was reported that the construction of the hangars of this air base has started. This air base in Bangladesh has been closed since 1971, but it remains to be understood why it has now been reactivated after 54 years. This air base, located very close to the Indian border, creates a threat triangle for India because Bangladesh receives help from China and Pakistan in the construction of this air base.

This air base will give China the ability to monitor India’s military facilities. It is reported that Bangladesh may deploy JF-17 fighter jets purchased from China. The contract for the reconstruction of this air base has also reportedly been awarded to a Pakistani defense firm, raising suspicions of ISI involvement here.

But India is also ready to deal with this triple threat. If Bangladesh attempts any misfortune against India from this airbase, it will be destroyed within minutes. The Indian Air Force Eastern Air Command, operating from Shillong, is responsible for these regions. The Air Force has a total of 15 air force stations, of which 7-8 are major air bases that fall under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat air base.

The closest air base to this Bangladesh air base is Hashimara Air Base in Falta, West Bengal, where two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets or 36 jets are based. It is just 85 kilometers away from Lalmonirhat, which means an attack can be launched within 10 to 15 minutes.

Kailashnagar Air Base in Tripura is also just 100 kilometers away, with 12-18 deployed fighter jets able to carry out attacks within 20 minutes. 18 Sukhoi fighter jets deployed at Bagdogra Air Force Station in Siliguri will also be able to hit the Bangladesh border within 25 minutes.

Despite this, Bangladesh, under the influence of China and Pakistan, is considering reactivating this air base, but perhaps Bangladesh has forgotten that India did something so bad to this air base in 1971 that it has not been able to restart it until today.

In 1971, this air base served as the operational base of the Pakistan Air Force on the eastern front. Indian Air Force MiG-21 and Hunter jets carried out pre-emptive strikes on Lalmonirhat. On December 4-5, the Air Force destroyed the airbase’s runway and hangar, with 2-3 Saber jets stationed there also destroyed on site. On 7 December 1971, Lalmonirhat Air Base was completely disabled. Maybe Bangladesh has forgotten this 54-year history, but Muhammad Yunus needs to turn the pages of history.